This study was conducted using a variety of secondary literature to reach its conclusions. It delves into stereotyping and the reinforcement of stereotypes by the media. It gives insights into how the media portrays black men and how the history of race in the United States plays a role in the current media portrayals of black men. During the research, it was necessary to investigate different factors that play a role in the media. Stereotyping, racial ideologies, systematic oppression, and gatekeeping being predominant themes in this subject. All of the information was collected to answer the central question of how mass media portrayals of black men influence white and black perceptions and stereotypes, respectively, in present-day American society.
Table of Content
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Background
2.1 The Gatekeeper effect
2.2 Media Portrayal as a result of history
2.3 Influence of the consumer
2.4 Influence of consumer and black men
3 Method
4 Results
5 Critical Discussion and potential outcome
6 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to examine how the portrayal of black men in contemporary American mass media influences societal perceptions and reinforces racial stereotypes among both white and black populations.
- The role of the "Gatekeeper effect" in media information filtering.
- Historical roots of racial ideologies and their impact on media narratives.
- The psychological influence of media consumption on personal and communal perceptions.
- Effects of negative stereotyping on the self-esteem and social opportunities of black men.
- The cyclical relationship between media representation, public opinion, and real-world behavior.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 The Gatekeeper effect
The “Gate Keeping Theory” or “Gatekeeper effect” is a concept that evolves around selection of information. It is a process in which a news outlet controls information and filters it. This process: “is associated with exercising different types of power (e.g., selecting news, enforcing the status quo in parliamentary committees, mediating between professional and ethnic groups, brokering expert information)” (Barzilai-Nahon, 2011). As shown in the diagram above, multiple “news items” are sifted through the gate and only specific items are released to the audience. How does this concept effect the portrayal of black men in media?
In 2007, a study showed that the entire news sector was predominantly owned by white people (Beresteanu and Ellickson, 2007). Radio Stations with “93.29%” white owned, TV Stations “89.11%” and Newspaper Publishers “93.50%” are the main news outlets in the United States, and due to the history of the United States it is therefore understandable that this can impact racial biases when it comes to the selection of information (Beresteanu and Ellickson, 2007). When an unfamiliar black face has the tendency to activate the amygdala, the brain’s section that is responsible for experiencing fear, in a white person then it stands to reason that there are biases in news media outlets (Phelps et al., 2000). Also, in 2006, a study by Smith-McLallen found that whites associate more negative words with unfamiliar black faces than white faces. In news, where wording has an impact on the information presented, this negative association can make a huge difference. Some of the words the study found to be associated with black faces by white subjects were “failure”, “evil”, “agony”, and “horrible”.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the research question regarding mass media's portrayal of black men and identifies the historical and contemporary relevance of the study, particularly regarding racial bias.
2 Theoretical Background: This section examines the mechanisms behind media bias, including the Gatekeeper effect, historical racial ideologies, and how consumers are influenced by negative stereotypes.
2.1 The Gatekeeper effect: This chapter analyzes how news outlets filter information and how ownership demographics contribute to racial biases in media selection.
2.2 Media Portrayal as a result of history: This chapter discusses how long-standing racial ideologies and historical marginalization continue to shape the contemporary portrayal of black individuals in media.
2.3 Influence of the consumer: This chapter explores how negative media imagery influences consumer perception of the black community and legitimizes certain industry standards.
2.4 Influence of consumer and black men: This chapter investigates how media distortions impact black self-esteem, cognitive performance, and real-world socioeconomic opportunities.
3 Method: This section explains the use of a qualitative methodological approach, relying on secondary literature to evaluate patterns and tendencies in media representation.
4 Results: This chapter synthesizes findings from various studies to demonstrate that media significantly affects public attitudes and reinforces harmful stereotypes.
5 Critical Discussion and potential outcome: This chapter analyzes the cyclical nature of media representation and reality, arguing for the necessity of breaking the cycle of negative reporting.
6 Conclusion: This final chapter summarizes how media-driven stereotyping contributes to the systemic oppression of black men by limiting their opportunities and misrepresenting their reality.
Keywords
Mass media, black men, racial stereotypes, Gatekeeper effect, consumer perception, racial bias, systemic oppression, media representation, social identity, criminalization, American society, identity formation, media ownership, racial ideology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper examines how contemporary mass media in the United States portrays black men and the subsequent influence these portrayals have on public perception and racial stereotyping.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the "Gatekeeper effect," the impact of media ownership, historical racial ideologies, the influence of stereotyping on consumer views, and the psychological and socioeconomic consequences for black men.
What is the central research question?
The central question is: "How does mass media portrayal of black men influence white and black perceptions and stereotypes, respectively, in present-day American society?"
Which scientific method was applied?
The author employed a qualitative research approach, conducting a critical analysis of secondary literature, studies, and media reports to identify patterns in data.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical framework of media bias, the historical roots of racial images, the role of media gatekeeping, the impact on consumer attitudes, and the cyclical nature of criminalization and stereotypes.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Important keywords include mass media, racial stereotypes, Gatekeeper effect, systemic oppression, media representation, and social identity.
How does the "Gatekeeper effect" contribute to the issues described?
The Gatekeeper effect explains how news outlets select and filter information, which, given the homogeneity of media ownership, tends to reinforce racial biases and negative messaging about black men.
What is the conclusion regarding the cycle of media influence?
The author concludes that media output creates a vicious cycle where exaggerated stereotypes are perceived as reality, forcing black communities into limited social and economic roles, which the media then continues to mischaracterize.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Maximilian Bernhardt (Autor:in), 2020, How does mass media portrayal of black men influence white and black perceptions and stereotypes?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1553793
